Alien Species.vp - IUCN

Perception and “human nature” as factors in
invasive alien species issues: a workshop
wrap-up on problems and solutions
Maj de Poorter
Introduction
Based on previous papers in this book, I have tried to wrap up some thoughts on the role of
“human nature” and perception in the invasive alien species issue. This includes an exploration
on how such traits and perceptions can be part of the solution in the fight to prevent further loss
of biodiversity due to alien invasion.
Workshop participants have for instance mentioned primal motivations like the need for
food, the need for shelter and the need to ensure survival, the latter in modern times including
the need to earn an income (Mack, this volume). They mentioned how these primal motivations
have been a driving force for a large number of alien introductions in the past (e.g. crops and
other agricultural species). Other human traits, for instance a wish to belong or a wish for power
and/or freedom, have also contributed. Better understanding of these human factors can play a
role in increasing understanding about invasive alien species, and about the need to prevent
further invasions and mitigate existing ones. The depth of understanding is also influenced by
the scale used when considering an issue, and by the degree of complexity present.
Furthermore, common traits like a wish for fairness and love of challenge can be extremely
beneficial when applied to the invasive aliens issue in the right way.
The issue of scale
It was pointed out by one of the papers that matters of scale influence people’s awareness: an
individual can easily understand the consequences that his/her activities will have directly for
him/herself, less easily the consequences for the local community, let alone the nation,
continent or globe – not even to mention the universe! The issue of alien invasion is usually one
where the effects of an individual’s activity (e.g., the effect of bringing home a “nice plant”
found while on holiday elsewhere) may show its insidiousness only after a considerable lapse
of time, and possibly at quite a distance from the individual’s immediate surroundings (e.g.,
twenty years later the plant has established, spread, and invaded an isolated national park). It
would be unrealistic to expect normal standard household individuals to be able to routinely
consider possible effects of their activities on a national scale. This is of course why legislative
and institutional rules and procedures need to exist, for instance to prevent unauthorised or
unintentional introductions and to regulate intentional ones. However, in order for such rules or
procedures to be fully supported and implemented, citizens need to be able to understand the
larger picture, much removed from their daily immediate surroundings. This is difficult – but
not impossible. After all, there are areas, like sports, where most average citizens very easily
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